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AFI AWARDS 2020 Honorees Announced
Today, AFI announced the recipients of the 2020 AFI AWARDS. AFI’s global Movie Club program will showcase the official selections beginning in February, with new and exclusive content released daily, including special guests from the honored works introducing the titles and AFI “Behind the Scene” conversations with filmmakers and actors. Sign up to be the first to receive exclusive AFI AWARDS content here.
AFI MOVIES OF THE YEAR
DA 5 BLOODS
JUDAS AND THE BLACK MESSIAH
MA RAINEY’S BLACK BOTTOM
MANK
MINARI
NOMADLAND
ONE NIGHT IN MIAMI…
SOUL
SOUND OF METAL
THE TRIAL OF THE CHICAGO 7
AFI TELEVISION PROGRAMS OF THE YEAR
BETTER CALL SAUL
BRIDGERTON
THE CROWN
THE GOOD LORD BIRD
LOVECRAFT COUNTRY
THE MANDALORIAN
MRS. AMERICA
THE QUEEN’S GAMBIT
TED LASSO
UNORTHODOX
AFI SPECIAL AWARD
HAMILTON
“For 20 years, AFI AWARDS has been a moment to gather artists in one room with a singular goal – to create community over competition,” said Bob Gazzale, AFI President & CEO. “This year we cannot gather but will instead celebrate each honoree by creating exclusive content to be shared with a global audience through AFI Movie Club, shining a proper light on excellence.”
The AFI AWARDS tributes will culminate with a virtual benediction premiering Feb. 26 on YouTube.com/AFI and AFI.com.
The AFI AWARDS celebration will be sponsored by Audi, a supporter of AFI programs for the past 17 years. To commemorate each of the AFI AWARDS recipients, Audi has created the AFI AWARDS Audi Scholarships initiative providing scholarships in the name of each honoree to current women and BIPOC Fellows at the AFI Conservatory – for a total contribution of $250,000.
Celebrating film and television arts’ collaborative nature, AFI AWARDS is the only national program that honors creative teams as a whole, recognizing those in front of and behind the camera.
AFI AWARDS selections are made through a jury process where AFI Trustees, artists, critics and scholars determine the year’s most outstanding achievements and provide artistic and cultural context for the selection of each honoree. All of the honored works advance the art of the moving image, inspire audiences and artists alike, enhance the rich cultural heritage of America’s art form and make a mark on American society. When placed in an historical context, these stories provide a complex and rich visual record of our modern world. The 2020 recipients join a distinguished group of previous AFI AWARDS honorees whose works define the art form and contribute to our rich cultural legacy.
Jay
AFIs work is so important because film is so important. Thanks for sharing stories and transporting us through worlds. I’ve seen all of the movie nominees with Mank being my favorite (personal connection with Citizen Kane) but everyone is deserving
Melanie Mann
If the Academy mirrors these choices, the Oscar telecast will be a ratings bust. None are worthy of awards. Just prove how tastes have changed radically, especially by the AFI, and by so-called “critics” as well.
Gene K.
Fully agree. This reflects nothing of the actual mindset. Looks like a lip service to me, after years and years of only male and only white nominees and winners selected. It’ll take more than that.
T.
And what would you consider worthy?
Claudia Carty
So glad to see Sound of Metal on here.
Caleb Trask
I’m confused how Bridgerton could have enough impact on 2020 in less then a week to be on this list?
General Public Users, Do not delete
I don’t know when the voting was finished. Usually the AFI Award winners are announced in December. This time, the submission deadline was on Dec 2nd, 2020, which considered first-run releases that have release dates between Jan 1st, 2020 and Feb 28th, 2021. “Judas and the Black Messiah” managed to get into the movie list, even if it has a Feb 12th, 2021 release and a Feb 1st, 2021 Sundance premiere.
It’s possible there were screeners of “Bridgerton” before its Christmas release. Critics were able to post their reviews since Dec 21st, 2020.
Jocko Malacchi
Where is Promising Young Woman? Judas and the Black Messiah isn’t even released yet. What a ‘white guilt’ sham!
Tina
Bridgerton is not good. Can we stop praising it just because it’s from Shonda Rimes?
Caroline-louise
Tell that to the millions that have enjoyed it
Glenn Slaby
Wish I cold afford to see these films.
Reggie Peterson
They forgot Borat, the only movie that made an impact in 2020.
Bill
No Tenet, very disappointing.
Jack
Better Call Saul deserves the win this year.
Kit Murphy
Shirley was left off the list. A huge mistake as far as I’m concerned.
anne bouie
It must be really hard to accept that for the longest, to quote James Brown, that…”I don’t want nobody to give me nothin’ open up the door and I’ll get myself!” actually results in a departure from the past. Let’s hope the door stays open. “Cause people do not want or even need a handout–they just need a hand OFF the door.
Doreen Parker
The only one I saw was Lovecraft Country. I really enjoyed it. There have still been enough good programs on my DirecTv to keep me happy during the lockdown. I went to the movies twice a week before COVID, and can’t wait to go back. I have trouble with streaming, and finally gave up trying.
Jaime Perry
What happened to “The United States vs Billy Holiday” ? Really people ?